The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

Jathika Jana balawegaya· Kalutara· 9 May 2025 ·Oral question: Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025)

Environment

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On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled an answer stating that the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority issues only environmental recommendations for sand and gravel excavations, while tank excavations proceed with permission from the Department of Agrarian Development. He said excavation recommendations are conditional, including site rehabilitation under a GSMB-approved plan with a rehabilitation deposit, but some sites have become problematic due to inadequate rehabilitation. He further noted that excavation activities are regulated under the Mines and Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992, with the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau as the competent authority.

Verbatim record (translated)

Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Environment:

¶ 02 Answer tabled.

¶ 03 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) The North Western Provincial Environmental Authority issues only an environmental recommendation for sand and gravel excavations. For tank excavations, recommendations are not obtained from the Provincial Authority; such activities are carried out with the permission of the Department of Agrarian Development.

¶ 04 When recommending excavation projects, conditional recommendations are issued considering prevailing environmental conditions. Conditions include rehabilitating the project site according to a rehabilitation plan approved by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). A deposit for rehabilitation is placed with GSMB, and rehabilitation must be carried out accordingly. Some sites have become problematic due to failure to rehabilitate properly.

¶ 05 (iii) and (iv) Regulation of excavation activities is under the Mines and Minerals Act No. 33 of 1992, with GSMB as the competent authority. Further details are in the tabled answer.

Provenance

Source: Hansard, Friday, 9 May 2025 ·No. 1748600585013314 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 9 May 2025. No. 1748600585013314. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/24692